Our prediction for this MLS match:
Houston Dynamo play host to Austin at their Shell Energy Stadium in what is expected to be a close MLS encounter. Houston failed to win the previous four league matches, but they are still seen as favourites to beat Austin in front of home fans. All Teenage Hadebe, Erik Sviatchenko, Tate Schmitt, and Ifunanyachi Achara remain on the sidelines with injuries, while Iceland forward Thor Ulfarsson should be recalled to the starting XI.
Los Verdes, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Seattle Sounders and Toronto FC, but seeing that the Orange Crush have turned their Shell Energy Stadium into a real fortress, we predict that the visitors are going to return home empty-handed. Both Sebastian Driussi and Zan Kolmanic are out of contention with injuries, but there are no suspended players in the away team.
Highlighted Player (Hector Herrera):
Mexico international Hector Herrera is a 26-year-old midfielder playing for Portugal giants FC Porto. Herrera began his career with Pachuca in 2010 and spent three years at the club before being sold to Porto. During his first season with the Dragons Herrera struggled for playing time, but he went on to cement his place in the starting eleven, becoming one of the most valuable players for the club.
Herrera has since them racked up over 110 performances for the Portugal side, scoring over 20 goals in the process. Full Mexico international since 2012, Hector Herrera represented his country at the 2014 World Cup.
During the summer of 2016 Herrera was heavily linked with a move away from Porto and was reported to have made a personal agreement with Italian side Napoli, but the €25 million asking price proved to be a stumbling block that ended up ruining the deal.
Highlighted Team (Houston Dynamo):
Houston Dynamo is an American professional soccer club owned by Jake Silverstein, Gabriel Brener, Ben Guull and Oscar De La Hoya, who is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time.
BBVA Compass Stadium is Dynamo’s home ground and the capacity of the venue is 22.039. Houston Dynamo won back-to-back MLS Cup trophies (2006, 2007), with the team beating New England Revolution in each of the two title games. It has to be noted that Houston finished the 2011 and the 2012 seasons as runners-up.
In 2008 the Dynamo made it to the North American SuperLiga final, but this time out their old rivals New England Revolution proved to be a big catch for the BBVA Compass Stadium outfit. FC Dallas are regarded as the club’s main rivals and the two teams face each other in the Texas derby. Houston have developed a rivalry with Sporting Kansas City as well. The colors of the club are orange, black and white.